Benedict calls on G8 to cancel debt

In a letter to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Pope Benedict has
called for "the rapid, total and unconditional cancellation" of the
debt of the world's poorest countries.

The Khaleej Times reports that the pontiff also called for large-scale investment for fighting killer diseases such as AIDS and malaria.

The
pope made the plea for "the rapid, total and unconditional
cancellation" of debt in a letter written in December to German
Chancellor Angela Merkel, who responded two months later.

However, the two letters were only made public on Monday by the Vatican.

"I
welcome the fact that the question of poverty, with specific reference
to Africa, now appears on the agenda of the G8," wrote the German
pontiff, ahead of the Group of Eight (G8) summit in Germany on 6-8 June.

"Indeed, it should be given the highest attention and priority, for the sake of poor and rich countries alike."

He
wrote that the fact the German presidency of the G8 coincided with it
also holding the rotating presidency of the 27-member European Union
offered "a unique opportunity to tackle this issue".

And he
called for "a substantial investment of resources for research and for
the development of medicines to treat AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and
other tropical diseases".

The international community must also
continue efforts for the reduction of the "legal and the illegal arms
trade, the illegal trade of precious raw materials, and the flight of
capital from poor countries", he wrote.

"While these challenges
should be undertaken by all members of the international community, the
G8 and the European Union should take the lead," the pope said.

For
her part, Merkel, in her reply, outlined her priorities such as the
economic development of the African continent, stronger international
commitment, fighting AIDS and debt cancellation.